S.A.’s Chavira of ‘Housewives’ smoldering in ‘Streetcar’

San Antonio’s own “Desperate Househusband” Ricardo Antonio Chavira is getting raves for his “smoldering” performance in “A Streetcar Named Desire.”

In between seasons of the ABC hit, in which he plays Eva Longoria Parker’s on-screen hubby Carlos Solis, Chavira has been delivering, night after night, a very different performance.

The Robert E. Lee High graduate, who divides his time between his home in San Antonio with his wife, son and daughter and another in Hollywood, plays Stanley Kowalski in the stage production of Tennessee Williams’ “Streetcar” at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis. (See him in the role in photo above opposite Gretchen Egolf as Blanche DuBois.)

His S.A. alma mater, University of the Incarnate Word, certainly is proud. The school sent me a glowing review of Chavira’s performance from Minnpost.com. Here’s what critic Ed Huyck said of the actor’s Stanley portrayal: “Chavira smolders with plenty of intensity and takes pains to show us the different sides of Stanley, the earthy soul who has captured Stella’s heart.”

I’m so thrilled for Ricardo. In my many interviews with the actor, he’s always communicated a love for the stage and it’s truly marvelous he got to play the iconic role of Stanley. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, he’s been dying to play the part made famous by Marlon Brando for years.

I sure would love to see the play. However, as I’ll be in in Hollywood in the coming weeks for my yearly fall preview, I likely won’t get the chance.

Anyone going to Minneapolis next month may want to get tickets, however. The play runs through Aug. 29. For more information, call 612-377-2224 or visit the theater site.